I want to start reading Iron Man Comics, but where do I start?

For some time I have wanted to revisit some classic Iron ManBut I’ve been hesitant about where exactly in the character’s canon to start. This is one of the biggest inhibitions many potential readers have when considering diving into comics, and so I think it’s worth exploring this problem in a little more depth to find a solution.

That is, I think we can use iron man Specifically, to talk a little more generally about How new and returning fans can approach a new franchise in a way that we don’t feel the pressure to start in the “right” place.

While a list of the best Iron Man Comics are certainly an essential resource to consult when trying to decide where to start, it doesn’t necessarily lessen the overwhelming feeling of staring down sixty-plus years of continuity that many of us are familiar with – which is why I would like to try to. Address here.

Starting is the hardest part – assessing different approaches to getting into Iron Man comics

Developing a methodology for new readers

Without question, Iron Man is the breakout superhero star of the last fifteen-plus years of Marvel Cinematic Universe ascendancy. I can still live in the original from 2008 Iron Man Film with low expectations, and was absolutely blown away by what I saw on screen. As especially Ann X-Men Fan growing up, I did not develop an attachment to Iron Man Comics like I did to the X– Titles from the early and mid-2000s. My conception of the character is largely defined – like many contemporary fans of the character – by Robert Downey Jr. s image of the hero.

Still, as a fan of Marvel Comics—and more crucially, someone who craves a deeper understanding of comic book history—I feel compelled to dive into Iron Man Extensive back catalogue, which, like most of Marvel’s top heroes, comprises over sixty years of stories. Therefore, the question of “Where should I start“Get up. There are three potential answers to this question that stand outWhich I think deserves further exploration. Here are the methods as I would formulate them:

1. Start at the beginning: Go back to Iron Man’s earliest appearances and work forward from there to develop an appreciation for the character’s history

2. Start in the present: Jump on board with the current ongoing volume of Iron ManTo understand the character’s current role in comics

3. Start with the hits: identify the most influential and impactful Iron Man Stories, the “greatest hits” of the character and start with the.

Each of these potential approaches has its own benefits and drawbacks, things that may make it appealing to one reader and intimidating to another. The important thing to note is that there is no one right answer, and there is no wrong way to become a fan Iron ManOr any other comic book franchise. However, some readers are more suited to jumping into the deep end of the pool, so to speak, while others want to wade into the shallow end and test the waters – and what matters is figuring out what kind of reader you are.

Approach #1: Start at the beginning (but where is the beginning?)

Iron Man Volume 1 #1 (1968) – written by Archie Goodwin; Art by Gene Colan; Ink by Johnny Craig; Letters by Artie Simek

Like most comic book fans, I wrestle with the desire to be a completist. My natural inclination is to go back to the first novel an author ever published, and read through each of their books in turn, or in the case of comics, to go back to the first appearance of a character and move methodically through each one. . appearance they ever made. For my own sake, I have to disabuse myself of this idea, and I would recommend that most readers do the same.

That said, those who have the patience for this approach will definitely find it rewarding, and are bound to learn a lot about Iron Man Learning and classic Marvel storytelling in the process. Still, when deciding to start at the “beginning,” there may still be some uncertainty about when exactly that is. Case in point: the character Iron Man First published in 1962s Stories of suspenseAnd then took on a central role in Marvel’s Avengerswhich debuted the next year.

However, it can be argued that these stories, although formative, are simple Set the foundation for the character’s first solo series, which began in 1968. Either of these would make a suitable entry point, but considering comics in the mid-20th century to bring readers up to speed at the beginning of a story, there would be little harm in skipping straight to Iron Man’s solo debut, and looping back To fill in his early Stories of suspense And Avengers Arcs still developing a greater appreciation for the character.

Approach #2: Start in the present (but won’t I miss stuff?)

Invincible Iron Man Volume 5 #1 – Written by Gerry Duggan; Art by Juan Frigeri; Color by Brian Valenza; Lettering by Joe Caramagna

In the decade since 1968s Iron Man #1 was published first, there have been four total volumes of the character’s solo adventures, with a fifth currently ongoing. From what I have read of it, Gerry Duggan Invincible Iron Man has largely been a series MCU fans can jump right into with little hesitation — but often, that hesitation exists because competitive-minded readers feel they’ll be missing out if they start with the contemporary version of the character, rather than To go back to the classics.

The intention behind the relaunch of a comic series should, in theory, be to provide a strong “jumping point” for new readers; That is, the point of a relaunch is to tell a story that isn’t necessarily burdened by what came before. In practice, different series achieve this to different degrees – and to a certain extent, unfamiliar readers must be able to find a book on its terms. That said, I would argue that most readers should feel safe starting with the current volume of a series like Iron ManBefore going back to early stories.

Certainly, a fan starting with Invincible Iron Man Volume 5 May not get every reference or callback, but conversely, they are more likely to meet the most fully realized version of ​​the character. Although the “start” method offers an unparalleled look at how an iconic character became what they are today, many fans may actually prefer to enjoy the end results of the process, rather than charting each step of the journey on the way to the destination. With that in mind, I’d back the fans to start with the current one Iron Man Series.

Method #3: Start with the “best” stories (to understand what defines the character)

Demon in a Bottle (1979) – Written by David Michelinie & Bob Layton; Art by John Romita Jr., Bob Layton, & Carmine Infantino

The third option fans can consider when trying to get into a character would be to avoid a chronological approach altogether, and instead focus on the stories that defined the character, be it Iron Man or whoever. This method offers a mix of the positives and negatives of the first two; I know I have hesitated to read Iron Man Infamous “demon in a bottle” storyline in full because I felt like I needed to understand everything that came before, but that wasn’t necessarily the case.

The hallmark of any great story is that it gives the audience everything they need to know; I am as guilty as anyone for not holding comic books to the same standard, but in truth, even the most lore-saturated plots should be, and can be, accessible and entertaining to an audience beyond just hardcore fans. One benefit of starting with the “best” stories in a character’s oeuvre is to discover how well they adhere to that standard; Additionally, it’s the fastest way to develop strong opinions about the character, so you can participate in the pop culture discourse around them.

If there’s one major drawback to this approach, it’s that there will be many hidden gems and underrated storylines readers will miss along the way. I think that’s certainly another dimension of the anxiety that surrounds approaching a character like that Iron ManWith such a great teaching; It is the idea that there is always more to be discovered, more to learn. Still if this anxiety can be converted, and Approached instead as one of the great joys of becoming a comic book fan, I think many more people will attempt to invest in the medium Like fans.

Conclusion: Find the right starting point for you

Explore yours Iron Man Fandom in more depth

The question of where to dive in and start reading any long-running comic franchise, from Iron Manto Thorto X-Menis a fascinating and fun one, and I’ve really only begun to scratch the surface of the conversation here. Really, what I was hoping to do is provide a primer on the subject, so that returning or returning comic book fans can feel less alone when it comes to making those decisions. Once more, the important thing I want to repeat is that There is no single “correct” starting point for a comic book franchise—instead, each reader must find the right place for them.

This means thinking about what captivated you about a particular character—Tony Stark’s wit, or Iron Man’s tech, for example. If the first story you try to read doesn’t suit you, don’t be discouraged; The flip side of the deluge of comic book stories is that there is an endless sea of ​​potential stories for you to fall in love with. I’m still not personally sure where to start Iron ManBut I feel more confident now in my ability to jump in and engage with practically any story in his canon.